Committee on Space Research - COSPAR

What Committee on Space Research - COSPAR does

COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) is a Paris-headquartered international non-profit scientific organization founded in 1958 under the International Council for Science, now the International Science Council (ISC). It serves as the premier international forum for facilitating scientific cooperation in space research, with approximately 50 national scientific institution members representing countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania (Belgium and Ghana noted as suspended). Its primary constituencies are national space agencies and their affiliated research bodies, individual space science researchers, early-career scientists (with explicit programs for those from developing countries), and a small set of industry partners including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Airbus Defence and Space, L3Harris, and United Launch Alliance.

The organization's core outputs are its two peer-reviewed scientific journals—Advances in Space Research (ASR, 2025 Impact Factor 3.2) and Life Sciences in Space Research (LSSR, 2025 Impact Factor 3.3)—both published through Elsevier, alongside the tri-annual information bulletin Space Research Today, the bimonthly COSPAR News e-newsletter, and a new book series. Its scientific program is structured around eight Scientific Commissions (A through H) covering meteorology and climate, planetary science, upper atmospheres, space plasmas, astrophysics, life sciences, materials sciences, and fundamental physics, supplemented by 14 specialized panels addressing planetary protection, space weather, capacity building, education, exploration, and emerging areas including machine learning and small satellite constellations. The organization also operates an extensive awards and medals program and is the standard-setting body for planetary protection policy.

COSPAR's business model is event-driven and diversified across four streams: (1) membership contributions from national scientific institutions in 50 countries, (2) journal subscription and publication revenue routed through Elsevier, (3) industry partner and institutional supporter contributions, and (4) grant-funded capacity building and education programs, including Erasmus+-co-funded projects (EXPLORE, StAnD, SPHERE). It organizes biennial Scientific Assemblies (Florence 2026, Dubai 2028), periodic Symposia (Suzhou 2027), Colloquia, and Capacity Building Workshops targeting young scientists from developing nations, and maintains an official relationship with the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Headquartered in Paris with an operational office in Montpellier, COSPAR operates without proprietary technology products, functioning instead as a coordinating and convening body for global space science.

Name

Committee on Space Research - COSPAR

Legal name

Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)

Website

https://cosparhq.cnes.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COSPAR is an international non-profit scientific organization founded in 1958 that facilitates space research cooperation across 50 member countries through peer-reviewed journals, biennial scientific assemblies, capacity-building workshops, and awards programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Research Organizations

akta.pro primary industry

International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research Collaboration & Joint Labs (International Partnerships) (EDAIABAC), Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)

Keywords

• Space research cooperation
• Scientific assemblies
• Peer-reviewed journals
• Capacity building
• Planetary protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions: COSPAR receives support from national scientific institutions (50 countries) that are members of the organization. The organization also has Associated Supporters including industry partners (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman) and institutional supporters (Airbus, ESA member organizations).
2. Journal Publications: COSPAR publications are published through Elsevier. Advances in Space Research and Life Sciences in Space Research generate revenue through subscriptions and open access publication fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

COSPAR is an international scientific organization that facilitates cooperation in space research across approximately 50 member countries. Its core offerings include peer-reviewed scientific journals (Advances in Space Research and Life Sciences in Space Research, published with Elsevier), the Space Research Today bulletin, the COSPAR News e-newsletter, a Book Series, biennial Scientific Assemblies and Symposia, Capacity Building Workshops and Fellowships, education projects (EXPLORE, StAnD, SPHERE), and a portfolio of awards and medals recognizing contributions to space science and international cooperation.

Product overview

COSPAR is an international scientific organization that publishes peer-reviewed journals and provides educational programs in space research. Its core products include two flagship journals (Advances in Space Research and Life Sciences in Space Research) published with Elsevier, the tri-annual Space Research Today bulletin, and the bimonthly COSPAR News e-newsletter. The organization also runs a book series, organizes scientific assemblies, symposia, and colloquia, and provides capacity building workshops and fellowship programs for young scientists. These offerings work together to promote international scientific research in space and facilitate the exchange of results and information among scientists worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Advances in Space Research (ASR): COSPAR's flagship peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all areas of space research, published by Elsevier.
• Life Sciences in Space Research (LSSR)
• Space Research Today (SRT)
• COSPAR News
• COSPAR Book Series

Products and services

• Advances in Space Research (ASR) Open peer-reviewed journal covering all areas of space research including space studies of Earth's surface, meteorology, climate, the Earth-Moon system, planets, upper atmospheres, ionospheres, magnetospheres, space plasmas, astrophysics, materials sciences, fundamental physics, space debris, and space weather. Published by Elsevier and included in Web of Science and Science Citation Index. Aimed at space science researchers.
• Life Sciences in Space Research (LSSR) COSPAR's peer-reviewed journal publishing high-quality original research and state-of-the-art review articles in areas covered by Commission F (life sciences), including astrobiology, prebiotic chemistry, life in extreme environments, habitability, ecological life support, space radiation effects, and gravitational effects in biological systems. Published by Elsevier. Aimed at life sciences and space medicine researchers.
• Space Research Today (SRT) Tri-annual information bulletin providing reports on COSPAR activity, events, scientific space mission news, articles from space organizations and Associates, book reviews, and other communications. Published in an online flip-book format. Aimed at the COSPAR community and space research stakeholders.
• COSPAR News Free bimonthly electronic newsletter bringing latest announcements and updates on COSPAR activities, publications, events, and related opportunities. Distributed to Associates and subscribers. Aimed at the broader COSPAR community.
• COSPAR Book Series Book series published by COSPAR covering space science topics. First volume is 'Titan After Cassini-Huygens' providing comprehensive coverage of Titan knowledge from the Cassini-Huygens mission. Aimed at space science researchers and the broader scientific community.
• COSPAR Scientific Assemblies Major international scientific assemblies held every two years where scientists present research, exchange results, and discuss problems affecting scientific space research. Aimed at space science researchers worldwide.
• COSPAR Capacity Building Workshops Workshops organized with various partners to convey practical knowledge in space sciences areas and build bridges between scientists. Includes topics such as ionospheric research, X-ray astronomy, planetary sciences, and satellite engineering. Aimed at young scientists from developing countries.
• COSPAR Capacity Building Fellowship Program Program enabling young scientists who participated in COSPAR Capacity Building Workshops to build on skills gained through 2-6 week visits for joint research with workshop lecturers/advisors at collaborating laboratories, primarily for scientists from developing countries.
• COSPAR for Education (EXPLORE, StAnD, SPHERE) Space science education projects through the Panel on Education, including EXPLORE (analog space mission simulations for students), StAnD (Students As Planetary Defenders on asteroid topics), and SPHERE (Space Schools Exploration and Research Mission). Partially funded by Erasmus+. Aimed at students and young researchers.
• COSPAR Awards and Medals Series of medals and awards including Space Science Award, International Cooperation Medal, William Nordberg Medal, Massey Award, Distinguished Service Medal, Vikram Sarabhai Medal, Jeoujang Jaw Award, Zeldovich Medals, and Outstanding Paper Award for Young Scientists. Aimed at recognizing contributions from space scientists.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025 Impact Factor of 3.2 for Advances in Space Research
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Chinese Society of Space Research (CSSR)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2022Jointly organized the 'Strategic Forum on Space Science – Post-pandemic Cooperation in Space Science' in Taiyuan, China.
• National Space Science Center (NSSC), Chinese Academy of SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2022NSSC jointly organized the strategic forum with COSPAR and CSSR in August 2022.
• Airbus Defence and SpacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus Defence and Space is an Institutional and Industrial Associated Supporter of COSPAR, based in Elancourt, France.
• L3HarrismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerL3Harris (Herndon, VA, USA) is an Institutional and Industrial Associated Supporter of COSPAR.
• United Launch AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Launch Alliance (Centennial, CO, USA) is an Institutional and Industrial Associated Supporter of COSPAR.
• International Space Science Institute (ISSI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISSI (Bern, Switzerland) is an Institutional Associated Supporter, supporting COSPAR's scientific mission.
• Women in Aerospace EuropeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWomen in Aerospace Europe (Noordwijk aan Zee, Netherlands) is a Cooperating Partner of COSPAR, supporting diversity in the space sector.
• Latin American Association of Space Geophysics (ALAGE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerALAGE is a Cooperating Partner collaborating on space geophysics research across Latin America.
• Austrian Space Forum (OeWF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOSPAR is a partner in the EXPLORE project (Erasmus+), led by the Austrian Space Forum, which conducts analog space missions for students.
• Erasmus+ Programme (EU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOSPAR participates in multiple Erasmus+ projects (EXPLORE, StAnD, SPHERE) supporting space science education for students.
• Students As Planetary Defenders (StAnD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStAnD is an Erasmus+ project supported by COSPAR, engaging students in asteroid and planetary defence education.
• International Science Council (ISC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOSPAR operates under a Charter from the International Science Council (formerly ICSU), the global body coordinating international science.
• United Nations COPUOS/OOSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOSPAR has an official relationship with the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, organizing symposia during COPUOS sessions.
• European Space Agency (ESA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA collaborates with COSPAR on scientific programs and events, including co-sponsored meetings.
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNOOSA and COSPAR collaborate on capacity building workshops and UN COPUOS symposia.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Science Council (ISC): Paris-based parent organization that charters COSPAR and coordinates 200+ international scientific unions and associations; closest institutional parent and policy sponsor, providing the umbrella under which COSPAR and other disciplinary unions operate.
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA): US-headquartered professional society for aerospace engineering with ~30,000 members worldwide; runs AIAA SciTech/AViation conferences and publishes peer-reviewed aerospace journals — overlapping industry-partner base (Boeing, Lockheed, Northrop) and event/publication model.
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA): Vienna-based UN program office implementing the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS); an explicit institutional partner of COSPAR that convenes intergovernmental space policy with overlapping capacity-building programs and a near-identical 50+ country membership footprint.

Emerging players

• Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC): Global non-profit supporting university students and young professionals in the space sector, with UN COPUOS observer status; comparable niche as a next-generation capacity-building organization and natural pipeline partner for COSPAR's Panel on Capacity Building and Young Scientists programs.

Direct peers

• International Academy of Astronautics (IAA): Independent academy of elected members focused on space science and technology, headquartered in Paris; runs parallel programs to COSPAR including studies, conferences, and publication of Acta Astronautica, serving the same international scientific community.
• American Geophysical Union (AGU): Large international scientific society publishing peer-reviewed journals (JGR-Space Physics, etc.) and hosting Fall/AGU meetings; comparable as a peer-reviewed space science publisher and convener with similar scientist membership model and publication economics through Wiley.
• International Astronomical Union (IAU): Global organization of professional astronomers conducting international cooperation in astronomy, with national memberships and general assemblies that closely parallel COSPAR's structure for space science; multiple COSPAR Scientific Commissions (E and H) overlap IAU commissions.
• International Space Science Institute (ISSI): Bern-based institute running international scientific forums, teams, and publications in space science; explicitly listed as a COSPAR Institutional Associated Supporter, sharing mission of facilitating international space science collaboration among researchers globally.
• International Astronautical Federation (IAF): Paris-based international federation of astronauts, space agencies, and industry; organizes the annual International Astronautical Congress and is the most directly comparable international space organization to COSPAR, with overlapping community of national members and industry partners.
• European Geosciences Union (EGU): Non-profit international union for all earth, planetary, and space sciences, based in Munich; runs annual General Assembly of ~20,000 scientists and publishes multiple open-access journals — directly comparable in mission, membership structure, and event/publication portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cosparhq
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC66pk6Eb0kPKC5Uqx-D-RLw
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommitteeOnSpaceResearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/committee-on-space-research-cospar
• Instagraminstagram.com/cosparhq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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